How to Dial In "Lilac Wine" by Jeff Buckley - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "Lilac Wine"
- GuitarTelecasterModern equivalent: Fender American Professional II Telecaster
- AmpVibroverbModern equivalent: Fender '64 Vibroverb Custom
- EffectTremoloThe amp's own
- EffectReverbThe amp's own
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for a Vibroverb. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
A slow, smouldering cover of James Shelton's 1950 song on Grace, released in August 1994 and produced by Andy Wallace, with Jeff Buckley's falsetto drifting over a tremolo-heavy clean guitar. Buckley is closely associated with a Fender Telecaster and a Fender Vibroverb, and the spring reverb and amp tremolo are central to this track's mood, so a Telecaster and a Vibroverb are the documented rig. Use the neck pickup, a clean tone with plenty of spring reverb and tremolo, and fingerpick the chords softly.
Common Questions About the "Lilac Wine" Tone
What guitar did Jeff Buckley use on "Lilac Wine"?
Jeff Buckley tracked "Lilac Wine" on a Telecaster (released 1994). The Fender American Professional II Telecaster named above is a modern equivalent, not the guitar on the record. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Lilac Wine" need?
On a Vibroverb: Gain 2, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5, Volume 6. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Lilac Wine" without a Vibroverb?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Lilac Wine" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
What effects are on "Lilac Wine"?
The recording has tremolo and reverb on it. No source names the unit behind them, so this page doesn't guess one. ToneMirror maps each effect onto your rig - a pedal you own, your amp's own controls, or a block on a modeler - and says plainly when your rig can't make one.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Lilac Wine" by Jeff Buckley are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.